Tissue expanders and methods of use

Abstract

Tissue expanders and their methods of use.

1 . A tissue expansion system, comprising:
 an implantable device adapted to be implanted within a patient, wherein the implantable device has an anterior portion, a posterior portion, an inferior portion, and a superior portion, and wherein the implantable device comprises a communication component secured in the superior and anterior portions; and   an external device adapted to be disposed external to the patient to wirelessly communicate with the communication component to control the expansion of the implantable device.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the implantable device comprises an inner layer defining an expandable chamber, wherein the inner layers comprises a preformed shape that defines the anterior, posterior, inferior, and superior portions, and wherein the communication component is secured to the superior and anterior portions of the inner layer. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the inner layer comprises an inelastic material. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the inner layer has a preformed general breast configuration defining the anterior, posterior, inferior, and superior portions, and wherein the communication component is secured to the anterior and superior portions of the general breast configuration. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4  wherein the general breast configuration has a lower pole and an upper pole, wherein the upper pole is disposed in the superior portion, wherein the lower power has a thickness greater than a thickness of the upper pole, and wherein the communication component is secured within the upper pole. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a fluid reservoir within an inner chamber of the implantable device, wherein the communication component and the fluid reservoir are in communication, and wherein the external device is adapted to wirelessly communicate with the communication component to controllably release fluid from the fluid reservoir into the inner chamber. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the communication component comprises an antenna. 
     
     
         8 - 29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . A tissue expansion system, comprising:
 an implantable device comprising a fluid source and an expandable chamber;
 an external controller adapted to wirelessly communicate with the implantable device to control the release of fluid from the fluid source into the expandable chamber to expand the expandable chamber; and 
 a processing component adapted to compare the number of times fluid has been released from the fluid source within a given period of time with a maximum number of times fluid is allowed to be released from the fluid source within the given period of time. 
   
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 30  wherein the processing component is disposed within the external controller. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 30  wherein the processing component is further adapted to prevent the release of fluid from the fluid source if the number of times fluid has been released from the fluid source within the given period of time is greater than or equal to the maximum number of times that fluid is allowed to be released from the fluid source within the given period of time. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 32  wherein the processing component is adapted to prevent the fluid source from releasing fluid more than 3 times within about a 24 hour period. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 32  wherein the processing component is adapted to prevent the fluid source from releasing fluid more than once about every 3 hours. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 30  wherein the external controller is adapted to communicate with the implantable device upon actuation of the external controller to control the release of fluid from the fluid source, and wherein the processing component is adapted to compare the number of times the external controller has been actuated within a given period of time with a maximum number of times the external controller can be actuated within the given period of time. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 30  wherein the fluid source is a compressed gas source. 
     
     
         37 . A tissue expansion system, comprising:
 an implantable device comprising a gas source and an expandable chamber;   an external controller adapted to wirelessly communicate with the implantable device to control the release of fluid from the fluid source into the expandable chamber to expand the expandable chamber; and   a processing component adapted to compare the volume of fluid that has been released from the fluid source within a given period of time with a maximum volume of fluid that is allowed to be released from the fluid source within the given period of time.   
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 37  wherein the processing component is disposed within the external controller. 
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 37  wherein the processing component is further adapted to prevent the release of fluid from the fluid source if the volume of fluid that has been released from the fluid source within the given period of time is greater than or equal to the maximum volume of fluid that is allowed to be released from the fluid source within the given period of time. 
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 37  wherein the processing component is adapted to prevent the fluid source from releasing more than about 30 mL of fluid within about 24 hours. 
     
     
         41 . The system of  claim 37  wherein the fluid source is a compressed gas source. 
     
     
         42 - 70 . (canceled)